Meet the Out & About 500

Yes, we changed the name. The Fortunate 500 sounded too privileged. Not at all Austin. The Out & About 500 is more descriptive. It recognizes those among us who are everywhere, all the time, often doing good, weaving the social fabric of Austin.

Five hundred social units — couples or singles, nominated by readers - are divided into 15 categories for the 2010 list. Some of their nonprofit and for-profit affiliations are listed as well.

A new category this year: Interactive. It recognizes the shift to social media like Facebook, Twitter and Gowalla.

As in the past, a social star rises to the top of each Out & About 500 category. Those who connect across categorical lines, we call all-stars. Remember, no American-Statesman employees or their relatives are eligible.

Nominations for the 2011 Out & About 500 start — now. Kindly send suggestions to mbarnes@statesman.com.

All-Stars

All-Star Stars: Donna Stockton-Hicks and Steve Hicks

If Democrats control Austin, and Republicans control Texas, the Hickses bridge the social gap. Their influence starts with CapStar Partners, Andrew Harper Travel, Harden Healthcare and other businesses. They open their classy Pemberton home to groups such as Austin Recovery, SafePlace, Family Eldercare, Center for Child Protection, Women's Fund of Central Texas and, especially, the tiny Rise School of Austin, for which the Hickses hope to raise $3 million this year.

• Carol and Chris Adams. Austin Film Society, Austin Music Foundation, St. Edward's University, Animal Trustees of Austin, Zach Theatre
• James Armstrong and Larry Connelly. Austin Museum of Art, Austin Lyric Opera, Long Center, Zach Theatre, University of Texas College of Fine Arts
• Linda Ball and Forrest Preece. Ballet Austin, Badgerdog Literary Publishing, Austin Cabaret Theatre, Austin Film Festival, Zach Theatre
• Suzanne and David Booth. Dimensional Fund Advisors, Booth Heritage Foundation, Friends of Heritage Preservation, Centre Pompidou Foundation, Booth School of Business
• Becky Beaver and John Duncan. Law Office of Becky Beaver, Ballet Austin, Austin Children's Museum, Planned Parenthood of Austin, People's Community Clinic
• Sally and Mack Brown. University of Texas, Helping Hand Society, Rise School of Austin, Austin Partners in Education, King of the Field
• Olga Campos and Kevin Benz. KVUE, News 8 Austin, CASA , Con Mi Madre, Greenlights for Nonprofit Success
• Tana and Joe Christie. AIDS Services of Austin, Austin Lyric Opera, Armstrong Community Music School, Out Youth, Ransom Center
• Susan and Michael Dell. Dell Inc., Dell Family Foundation, Dell Children's Medical Center, Long Center, Austin Children's Shelter, Arthouse
• Eloise and John Paul DeJoria. Paul Mitchell, Nobelity Project, Patron Spirits Company, Palmer Drug Abuse Program
• Mary Margaret and Ray Farabee. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, People's Community Clinic, Southwestern Writers Collection, Molly National Journalism Prize
• Maria Luisa 'Lulu' Flores and Scott Hendler. National Women's Political Caucus, Hendler Law, Mexic-Arte Museum, Save Town Lake Association, Hispanic Bar Association of Austin
• Karen Frost and Charles Levy. Frost Media Relations, Nobelity, Texas Cultural Trust, Leadership Austin, I Live Here I Give Here, Impact Austin
• Anna Hansen and Lance Armstrong. Livestrong, Texas Bicycle Coalition, Mellow Johnny's, Team RadioShack, Tobacco-Free Kids
• David Garza and Dr. John Hogg. Mexic-Arte Museum, Hispanic Scholarship Consortium
• Maria and Eric Groten. Zach Theatre, Center for Child Protection, Vinson and Elkins, Ballet Austin, Long Center for the Performing Arts
• Patty and James Huffines. University of Texas System, TXU Energy, PlainsCapital Bank, Austin Community Foundation, Center for Child Protection
• Diane Land and Steve Adler. Anti-Defamation League, GenX, Austin Museum of Art, Ballet Austin
• Teresa and Joe Long. Long Center, University of Texas, Austin Museum of Art, Austin Symphony Orchestra, UT College of Fine Arts
• Carla and Jack McDonald. Perficient, Dynabrand PR, American Youthworks, Austech Alliance, PeopleFund
• Andrea and Dean McWilliams. McWilliams and Associates, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Long Center, KillCancer, Ballet Austin, Arthouse
• Lynn and Tom Meredith. MFI Foundation, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin Children's Museum, University of Texas, Long Center
• Stephen Moser. Austin Chronicle, Made in Heaven
• Bettie Naylor and Libby Sykora. Bettie Naylor and Associates, Out Youth, Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, First Amendment Coalition Of Texas
• Willie Nelson. Farm Aid, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Nobelity Project, Carl's Corner
• Dr. Nona Niland and David Braun. Ann Richards School, Long Center, People's Community Clinic, Center For Public Policy Priorities, Niland Foundation
• Anita and Rick Perry. Governor of Texas, Texas Conference for Women, National Governors Association, March of Dimes, Main Street Program, Center for Child Protection
• Christy and Turk Pipkin. Nobelity Project, Miracle Foundation, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
• Sara and Dick Rathgeber. Rathgeber Village, Austin Children's Shelter, People's Community Clinic, Salvation Army
• Amy and Kirk Rudy. Endeavor Real Estate Group, Anti-Defamation League, Equality Texas, AIDS Services of Austin, Ballet Austin, St. Andrew's Episcopal School
• Eugene Sepulveda and Steven Tomlinson. Fusebox Festival, Entrepreneurs Foundation, PeopleFund, Marfa Public Radio, Organizing for America
• Julia and Evan Smith. Texas Tribune, Blanton Museum of Art, Trinity Episcopal School, Austin Film Society, People's Community Clinic, Planned Parenthood
• Venus and Bill Strawn. Center for Child Protection, Rise School of Austin, Women's Fund of Central Texas, Strawn Arnold Ashpitz Groover Ltd.
• Mary and Rusty Tally. UBS - The Tally Group, Center for Child Protection, Zach Theatre, Texas Performing Arts, Emancipet
• Amy Grace Tharp and Doug Ulman. Livestrong, Wonders and Worries, Trail Foundation, Anti-Defamation League, Austin Children's Museum
• Bobbi and Mort Topfer. Topfer Family Foundation, Castletop Capital, Seton Fund, Long Center, March of Dimes, Dell Children's Medical Center
• Michelle Valles and Ray Benson. KEYE, Asleep at the Wheel, Bismeaux Studio, Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Heart Association
• Liz McDaniel Watson and Kirk Watson. Texas Senate, Livestrong, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• Suzanne and Marc Winkelman. Calendar Club, Jewish Community Association of Austin, Democratic Party, Long Center, Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Arts